Write-ins allowed, Boyarski gets win in Hazle primary

A win in court translates to a win in the primary election for a Hazle Township supervisor.

Francis "Butch" Boyarski picked up 16 write-in votes, enough to give him a victory in the Republican primary, through a decision that two Luzerne County Court judges signed on Wednesday.

In the primary on May 21, Boyarski won the Democratic nomination so he will represent both major parties on the ballot as he runs for his third term in the general election on Nov. 7.

Prior to the ruling by judges Thomas Burke and Joseph Sklarosky Jr., Boyarski trailed Richard Wienches by eight votes in the Republican balloting.

The judges, however, credited Boyarski with 16 other votes that were spelled wrong, listed no first name or the wrong first name.

Thirteen of those votes were for Boyarski and one for Boyarsky. A voter wrote in Eugene Boyarski, using the candidate's middle name, and another used his nickname when writing in Butch Boyarski.

Boyarski said he thinks those votes were meant for him, and thinks the judges made the right decision.

"We weren't there to deceive anybody. At least my vote counts, and the people who voted for me their votes count," Boyarski said.

After learning of the decision, Wienches said he wanted to congratulate Boyarski.

"It is apparent that the township residents have decided that the township would be far better off with Mr. Boyarski than myself," Wienches said.

In court, Pasco Schiavo represented Boyarski. Michael Butera represented the county election board, which earlier ruled against awarding the votes to Boyarski.

- Kent Jackson

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